Foot Anstey invests in communities, people and environment as latest Responsible Business Report charts continued progress

National law firm Foot Anstey has published its annual Responsible Business Report, showcasing another year of investment and progress across its responsible business strategy. The report highlights how the firm continues to embed responsible business into its growth ambitions, creating positive outcomes for its people, communities, clients and the environment.

Over the last financial year, the firm exceeded its commitment to invest at least 1% of net profits into responsible business initiatives, supporting a range of programmes designed to drive social mobility, strengthen inclusion, reduce environmental impact and create opportunities for colleagues to thrive.

Highlights from the report include:

Investing in social mobility: committing £300,000 to a landmark three-year partnership with Young Enterprise. In its first year, 536 young people experienced enterprise and employability programmes designed to build confidence, skills and aspirations.

Supporting local communities: launching the firm's inaugural Community Fund, providing grants to 26 charities and community organisations nominated by colleagues, alongside delivering 2,327 social impact hours through volunteering, fundraising and pro bono activity.

Creating an inclusive, high-performance workplace: introducing a new Inclusion Action Plan, establishing the firm's first Shadow Board, investing in initiatives that support career development, wellbeing and belonging, and launching its market-leading parental leave policy.

Advancing environmental ambitions: achieving a 100% reduction in Scope 1 emissions and an 18.4% reduction in Scope 2 emissions, increasing the use of renewable electricity across its offices and introducing its first Supplier Code of Conduct.

Enabling the low-carbon transition: advising clients on major clean energy projects, from securing land rights for a 4,362-acre solar and biodiversity park to supporting a proposed 380MW solar farm and developing commercial agreements that integrate solar, battery storage and electric vehicle charging.

Earning external recognition: being named a Top 75 employer in the Social Mobility Employer Index, winning the Grand Prix: Champion of Champions award at the People in Law Awards and receiving the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the LexisNexis Legal Awards.

Martin Hirst, Managing Partner at Foot Anstey, said 'Responsible business is an integral part of how we create long-term value for our clients, colleagues and communities. This report demonstrates the tangible progress we've made over the last year, from expanding opportunities for young people and investing in our communities to reducing our environmental impact and creating an inclusive workplace where talented people can thrive.'

Bola Gibson, Executive Director of Responsible Business, added 'We're proud of the progress we've made this year and, more importantly, the impact that progress is having. Whether through our partnership with Young Enterprise, our Community Fund, our environmental initiatives or the dedication of our colleagues, we've continued to turn ambition into action. As we look ahead, we'll build on these foundations and continue working with our people, clients and partners to create positive and lasting change.'

The publication of the report marks another important milestone in Foot Anstey's responsible business journey and reinforces the firm's commitment to powering ambition while delivering meaningful impact across the communities and sectors it serves.

To find out more, visit Foot Anstey's Responsible Business webpages.